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Bexley family reaches £25,000 fund-raising target

The sun shone over hundreds who visited the first ever KTB Charity Food Festival on Sunday.

But there wasn’t just food – it was a whole mix of entertainment for the whole family.

Held by Bexley couple Katie and Toby Ballard at their farm home in the middle of the village, the event raised £4,200 for Evelina London Children’s Hospital, which has been caring for their son Benji since he was born five years ago with a chromosomal abnormality.

The condition has meant that Benji has had many operations and treatments at the hospital including open-heart surgery earlier this year.

The Ballards, directors of KTB Physio which sponsored the event, also have another son, Benji’s younger brother Henry – he does not have the condition.

The family had previously raised £22,000 for the hospital and have now exceeded their £25,000 milestone. Their vast garden became a mini festival arena, with a market street for local produce to be bought alongside craft stalls, a tipple tent, live music, children’s tractor rides, a fire engine to climb into, a St John Ambulance to have a look at, bouncy castle and face-painting.

Freshly-cooked food was also available on the BBQ, plus a cookery demonstration from TV chef Tony Tobin entertained everyone.

The family has held events before at their home and welcomed people in for this year’s one too.

A local who came, said the event was ‘a Bexley Village Occasion’ and said they had enjoyed it very much. Katie and Toby said: “The event was a resounding success with a fantastic atmosphere, brilliant sunshine and lots of happy families exploring the stalls and enjoying the entertainment. We are delighted to have raised so much for the hospital to say thank-you for all the amazing work they do.”